What was supposed to be a joyful celebration turned into a tragedy when a young woman died during her bridal shower.
Now instead of finalising their wedding arrangements, Chrisuné Afrika’s heartbroken fiancé Duwayne Philander has to prepare to bury the love of his life.
Her funeral will be taking place on July 16, just one week before they were supposed to tie the knot.
The family is still baffled by 34-year-old Chrisuné’s sudden death and are awaiting an autopsy report.
The young woman had been in remission for two years after a battle with lymphoma cancer, but according to her family was doing well.
Cormelite Afrika says her younger sister went to lie down after she started feeling ill on Saturday.
“I came to Elim to surprise her but when I got here they told me she was lying in the room,” says Cormelite.
Fearing the worst, they called the ambulance and the police but it was too late to save Chrisuné.
A shocked Duwayne says he was stukkend when he heard the tragic news of his “soulmate’s” death.
“ Ons was ’n leeftyd bymekaar. We used to play together and started dating after high school,” says Duwayne who grew up opposite Chrisuné.
The couple have a 14-year-old daughter Kristen-Lee Afrika.
Duwayne says he and Chrisuné would have picked out their wedding rings on Friday. Now he wants his fiancé to be buried with her engagement ring.
Cormelite says her sister was very excited about her big day.
But now the shocked family will have to prepare for Chrisuné’s funeral instead.
“I had to phone to cancel the dresses for the wedding and the pastor who would have married them will bury her,” says Chrisuné’s mother Latitia Afrika, 58.
She adds that the groceries bought for the wedding will now be used for the funeral.
Bredasdorp SAPS commander Lieutenant Colonel Maree Louw says the circumstances surrounding Chrisuné’s death are being investigated.
“An inquest docket has been opened,” she adds.